Seems like for the most part, weight training does benefit athletic performance (duh!!), but I don't know why they seem to focus so much on long distance runners. Yeah, weight lifting may or may not improve your marathon time, but look at the benefits of weight training for so many other sports.

__________________
Ludacris: My chick bad! Tell me if you seen her. She always brings the racket like Venus and Serena!

Well, I'm glad you posted the article. This is an old article of faith-that lifting doesn't help your sport-in a few circles still. I hear the question all the time from runners, cylists, triathletes.

The best reason to lift is because it makes you strong. Strong people resist injuries, can defend themselves, including running if necessary, and LOOK much better. I'll take a woman with a hard body any day...or night!

-Robert

__________________
"Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."-Frost

Lifting weights will be beneficial, but you must remember to stretch afterwards, otherwise you lose flexibility which is also important for a solid non-injury prone athlete.

I agree, but will also add that I feel stretching prior to lifting is as if not more important. Which brings to mind Yoga or Pilates as a general strengthening and toning (as opposed to bulking) of the muscles.

I agree, but will also add that I feel stretching prior to lifting is as if not more important. Which brings to mind Yoga or Pilates as a general strengthening and toning (as opposed to bulking) of the muscles.

Haha. I knew you would spot this and perhaps have a little something to offer on the benefits of weight lifting Ricky. What would you do on this forum without my constant attention?

Here's the thing. Static stretching is not recommended prior to lifting weights due to its relaxation of the muscles. Dynamic stretching has been recommended in recent times, but that's sort of an advanced type of stretching that gymnasts and martial artists use. As a trainer, I'd have my clients ride the stationary bike or jump on a treadmill for a few minutes before our training sessions. The warmup prepared the muscles for the rigors of weight training and stretching was done after a quick bike or treadmill which we call the cooldown. In summary: Warm up on the treadmill or stationary bike, lift weights, cool down on the bike or treadmill once again, and finally we stretch.

Here's the thing. Static stretching is not recommended prior to lifting weights due to its relaxation of the muscles. Dynamic stretching has been recommended in recent times, but that's sort of an advanced type of stretching that gymnasts and martial artists use. As a trainer, I'd have my clients ride the stationary bike or jump on a treadmill for a few minutes before our training sessions. The warmup prepared the muscles for the rigors of weight training and stretching was done after a quick bike or treadmill which we call the cooldown. In summary: Warm up on the treadmill or stationary bike, lift weights, cool down on the bike or treadmill once again, and finally we stretch.

Okay. I won't dispute that as I'm not a weight lifter by any stretch of the imagination. I stand humbly corrected.